We all have our faults, just like Ribs, but usually we are all liked by someone.

Regarding HMS and Tom (the latter I know not so much of), but people's actions can be interpreted in different ways.

Whether or not they do things for their own ego, if that's what you're inferring, I like the fact they produce a good magazine and post interesting builds/pics on here respectively. Who else is doing it or building such an innovative boat.

If they didn't I think the site would be far less interesting and their would be no magazine for a whole load of readers and British trades to advertise in.

I for one support their actions and posts, however can make no judgement on their motives or personalities, but don't care if they're not hurting anyone or actively putting others out of business.

Thank you for your comment. My passion and drive is to build an interesting craft and enjoy the trip, not inflate my EGO have some commented.

There has to be a degree of PR and marketing as there are partners involved, the same with any sport or expedition. My motive for posting here though is to highlight a completely different boat and share my passion for RIBs. In addition offer anyone who would like a go on the seat or boat to come for a spin.

Ok so "privateers" should be the only listened to group who use boats for leisure seperate to others who skipper boats for thousands of nautical miles and almost daily and have used many boats over the years. I accept my choice is Ribeye for my business. Many of us using these boats commercially have tested them in all conditions ( force 8 last week as an example) and have seen thousands of hrs put on the engines. I am not sponsored by them, I pay my hard earned cash to keep my business afloat using their boats and I looked at many other products when going to an 8.5metre boat, so guess I am connected here as outlined. I have raised points before and on each time I have been listened to and the matters changed/ fixed by Ribeye including the latest development of the 850s which is now proving to be a sound buy for the business

Whilst out with an independant boat tester in recent weeks this person stated they would have the Ribeye 600 over the 650 ( totally different hulls) as they too had tested them in all conditions. We have also been involved in tests where armstrong brackets were fitted to a 650 and 785 and the tested- tried to see if they were poor into, with and broadside to waves, scared me but the boats stayed perfectly seated.

I know Biff who has done some great work for me on Ribtecs( also now a Ribeye product) and if memory serves me was involved in building these quite a few years ago and does know the business much better than me.

I am not sure where you get the "taken more seriously than they currently do". That appears to be only on this forum as they sell boats worldwide and have a great reputation ( including super yacht tenders). I accept what is good for one user may not suit another but the constant "slagging" of a fantastic product and business is disheartening and as I said in my earlier biting- the people behind the scenes work very hard to make their business successful and it is a shame we see so much against them. It seems to be what we do in the UK if someone / thing is successful we try to knock them down

hmm...as there 'has to be partners involved' as Tom said...
and as a Round Ireland entrant, I am curious as to what the benefit of these major partners is to those competing.
I am genuinely excited to be taking part, and appreciate all the PR mechanisms that have to run alongside this event, however, it represents a substantial outlay on my own part, and I have had no sponsor/financial assistance, or even the offer of any as an entrant, other than some some small discounts offered by the challenge for kit I already have. Those more connected into our hobby as a business will of course be in a better position to be supported by contacts in the industry, I accept that, but I would also hope that the effort required to get the boats to the start point is not lost in a surge of sponsor flag waving, concentrating on people whose entries/boats are heavily subsidized. It wont stop my enjoyment of the event, but there has to be a balance struck before you set off, to encourage the event bonding that the organizers seem keen on promoting.
I read all that Tom and Matt H have written on the thread.
This isn't sour grapes, more power to those who can get their hobby funded and subsidized by others, its just not a reality for the majority of us, so its understandable if there is a level of 'fatigue' at hearing and seeing it.
and ...if anyone wants to drop a 10K cheque into my hands......I will make sure it goes straight to my justgiving account.

But i think they should have privateers which would be more refreshing rather than sponsored/connected same old same old double barrelled......look at me scenario!!
Wouldn't it be more beneficial and less biased and boring to get someone like biffer or Nos with more street cred to helm it and give an honest and again non linked unbiased opinion!

Presumably matt your line of business is not marketing / PR / sponsorship? I'm not sure I'd pick a self confessed Mr Grumpy (who would have insisted on a kettle on board) or a truck driver with an interest in fixing old ribs to get me maximum PR coverage.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShinyShoe

Great unless you flip the boat? I know its rare to flip a rib but it does happen and the last place I'd want to be is strapped to the seat...

You need to balance the very rare occurrence (and the potential consequences) against the more likely face plant the console or chucked out situation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt h

the problem i have is the same old people doing the Big I Am.
Its a touch boring. And what i mean reference connected is, Hugo Swan Monty... Magazine....face in every picture....Tom swan Linley...Magazine....Hugo Swan......take a picture of me....Tom Linley Swan......I this .... I that..

Mr Linley, we all know your in a privileged position but tone it down old boy. I commissioned this..... I work as this......me me me...

matt - you sound like a jealous school boy. if these guys are good at self promotion that is WHY they are popular with the kit suppliers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomLinley

There has to be a degree of PR and marketing as there are partners involved, the same with any sport or expedition.

Tom, you are clearly not that privileged if you have to get others to pay for your fun! I do wonder thought whether when it was first suggested that you might take a bunch of ribs round ireland for fun whether it was intended to be a 'corporate' event or more of a long cruise in company...

Quote:

Originally Posted by MustRib

hmm...as there 'has to be partners involved' as ...so its understandable if there is a level of 'fatigue' at hearing and seeing it.
and ...

I usually tire early of this stuff. I've not renewed my subscription to the mag - so maybe that's where I am missing it - but I've not seen excessive plugging of their psuedo-commercial venture here.